Former Bank Officials Arrested in Jaisalmer Over Rs 70 Lakh Farmers' Fund Scam
In a significant development, Jaisalmer police on Saturday arrested two former officials of the Jaisalmer Central Co-operative Bank in connection with a major financial fraud case. The individuals apprehended are former managing director Jagdish Suthar and former cashier Vivek Sen, who are accused of misappropriating approximately Rs 70 lakh that was designated for agricultural claims of 70 local farmers.
Details of the Alleged Fraud Scheme
According to police statements, this fraudulent activity first came to light in 2020 at the Kanooi Gram Seva Sahakari Samiti. Investigators revealed that the funds were allegedly siphoned off after being routed through the bank's Chandhan branch in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated scheme.
ASP Revantdan provided crucial details about the case, explaining that samiti chairman Roje Khan had filed a complaint alleging that the money was withdrawn using his forged signatures without his knowledge or authorization.
How the Funds Were Diverted
The investigation has uncovered a troubling pattern of financial manipulation:
- The agricultural claim amount was initially deposited into the society's main account at the Jaisalmer branch
- Instead of remaining there for distribution to farmers, the money was transferred to the Chandhan branch
- Rather than being credited to the intended farmers' accounts as required, the funds were withdrawn and allegedly misappropriated by the accused individuals
Broader Network of Alleged Conspirators
Police investigators believe this scam involved collusion with multiple individuals beyond the two arrested officials:
- Naresh Kumar, who served as administrator at the time, was allegedly involved in the scheme. He was previously arrested and subsequently released on bail, having been removed from his position following the discovery of irregularities.
- Ashwini Kevalia, the manager of the Chandhan branch, remains absconding according to police reports, with authorities continuing their search for his whereabouts.
Timeline of Events and Regulatory Violations
The sequence of events reveals multiple alleged violations of banking regulations and procedures:
Roje Khan, the society chairman, removed Naresh Kumar as administrator on August 30, 2020, after suspecting irregularities in financial transactions. Khan reportedly informed Suthar about these concerns both in writing and verbally, providing clear notification of potential problems.
Despite this warning, police allege that Suthar violated established banking rules and regulations. Investigators claim he colluded with the removed administrator and authorized substantial payments totaling Rs 70 lakh:
- Rs 20 lakh cleared on September 8, 2020
- Rs 50 lakh cleared on September 25, 2020
Police emphasize that these payments were processed "contrary to regulations" and represented a clear deviation from proper banking protocols.
Systematic Bypassing of Safeguards
Investigators highlighted several concerning aspects of how the alleged fraud was executed:
The Kanooi Society's main account was properly maintained at the Jaisalmer branch, yet payments were deliberately processed through the Chandhan branch instead. Police believe this transfer between branches was a deliberate component of the alleged conspiracy to obscure the money trail.
Furthermore, despite clear state government directives requiring direct transfers to farmers' online accounts, the funds were handled through traditional branch transactions, creating opportunities for the alleged misappropriation.
Current Status of the Accused
The two arrested individuals held significant positions within the cooperative banking system at the time of their apprehension:
- Jagdish Suthar was serving as deputy registrar in Barmer at the time of his arrest
- Vivek Sen was working as the Mohangadh Co-operative Manager
Official Findings and Continuing Investigation
An official inquiry conducted under Sections 55 and 57 of the Rajasthan Co-operative Act has found Suthar, Naresh Kumar, Kevalia, and Sen guilty of involvement in the fraudulent scheme. This formal finding adds legal weight to the allegations against the accused individuals.
Police authorities continue their investigation into the matter, with particular focus on locating the absconding branch manager Ashwini Kevalia. The case represents a significant breach of trust in the cooperative banking system that was specifically designed to support agricultural communities in the region.
